Martina Longo is a research manager in the IDC EMEA Digital Business and AI Transformation Strategy Research Group. In her role she advises ICT players on how organizations create business value using digital technologies. She also leads the IDC EMEA Digital Native Business research, focused on a mix of start-ups, scaleups, and more mature digital natives. She also collaborates with the EMEA C-Suite Tech Agenda research, analyzing technology investments and buyer preferences across C-suites in the EMEA region. She also examines how C-suite leaders are evolving as a result of key market trends and technology innovations (e.g., AI).

Ex-CIO, Technoptimist, Coach, co-founder of 6D

Petr Beneš spent more than 20 years in banking. In addition to the Czech Republic, he worked in Poland, the USA and Thailand, where he was in charge of opening the greenfield bank. For the last 10 years, he has worked as a CIO in two Czech banks – GE Money (Moneta) and Česká spořitelna. He has a personal experience of transferring a large company to a public cloud environment.

In 2016 he co-founded 6D, which helps companies and individuals adapt to technological and social changes. It deals with the impact of digitization not only on the world of business and the social environment but also on how the current civilization revolution transforms our individual customs and values.

Petr is committed to the influence of corporate culture on the efficient functioning of teams and the networking of corporations and startups. He acts as an Expert / Mentor in the UP21 Startup Incubator, helping to bring to life the innovative business plans of start-ups.

Throughout his careers, Petr moves on the interface between technology and business. Last years as a CIO, but also as a facilitator, culture changer, coach and people connector. “Simplification is my mantra, … I’m extrovert, I believe less is more and I believe in here and now. I like to keep myself out of the comfort zone because I realize that overwhelming welfare stands behind collapse of most civilizations in history… “says Petr Beneš

Ex-CIO, Technoptimista, kouč, spoluzakladatel 6D

Petr Beneš působil přes 20 let v bankovnictví. Kromě České republiky pracoval v Polsku, USA a Thajsku, kde otevíral banku na zelené louce. Posledních 10 let pracoval jako CIO ve dvou českých bankách – v GE Money (Moneta) a v České spořitelně. Má osobní zkušenost s převodem velké firmy do prostředí veřejného cloudu.

V roce 2016 spoluzaložil 6D, která pomáhá firmám i jednotlivcům adaptovat se na technologické a společenské změny. Věnuje se dopadům digitalizace nejen na svět byznysu a sociální prostředí, ale i tomu, jak současná civilizační revoluce proměňuje naše indivuální zvyky a hodnoty.

Petr se věnuje vlivu firemní kultury na efektivní fungování týmů a propojování světa korporací a startupů. Působí jako Expert/Mentor v startupovém inkubátoru UP21, kde pomáhá uvádět do života inovativní podnikatelské záměry začínajících firem.

Celou svou kariéru se Petr pohybuje na rozhraní technologií a byznysu. Poslední roky jako CIO, ale také jako umožňovač, měnič prostředí, kouč a propojovač lidí. “Zjednodušování je moje mantra,… jsem extrovert, věřím, že míň je víc a věřím v tady a teď. Rád se udržuji ve střehu mimo komfortní zónu, protože si uvědomuji, že za zánikem většiny civilizací v historii stál nadměrný blahobyt …” říká Petr Beneš.

• Ivana is a strategist who brings clarity and perspective to complex topics, transforming them into simple, actionable steps and processes.
• Her domain is strategic management of public sector institutions, where she focuses on building new competencies and establishing effective processes.
• Currently, as a coordinator for AI oversight, she is preparing the Czech Telecommunication Office for its new role as a market supervisory authority under the AI Act.
• She is passionate about technology and the ways it is transforming how society functions.
• She combines experience from the academic sector, the defense sector, and freelance work.
• She believes that the foundation of success lies in creating an inspiring environment where people can fully realize their potential. She is also a professional coach in training, helping people live their working lives to the fullest.

Martin is an experienced leader in digital transformation. He has successfully led numerous projects as a consultant and architect in various countries. At IXPERTA, he also focuses on the Mendix platform, helping companies quickly and efficiently develop custom applications with its support.

Tomáš studied Mathematics and Informatics at Masaryk University in Brno and started his career in an unexpected place — as a university lecturer in theoretical informatics. He soon moved into the corporate world, building his experience across telecoms, financial services (Home Credit in India, Indonesia, and internationally) and e-commerce (Rohlik Group). This international background in fast-growing, data-driven businesses shaped his core belief: IT should be a business partner, not a service desk.
Today, as CIO of Dr. Max Česko, one of the largest pharmacy chains in the Czech market, he leads the company’s IT strategy with a current focus on process automation and robotics — both in retail pharmacies and warehouse operations. It is this hands-on experience of turning technology investment into measurable business outcomes that he brings to today’s panel discussion.

Petr serves as Head of IT Corporate & Technologies at Raiffeisenbank Czech Republic and has over 20 years of experience in the IT field. He is currently responsible for the development of IT for the corporate business, ensuring that technology genuinely supports its growth and meets client needs.

Throughout his career, he has led transformation projects involving not only technological changes but also shifts in mindset and the overall functioning of IT. He has also gained significant experience through bank acquisitions and their integration, where it becomes clear that it’s not just about systems, but above all about people and the way they collaborate.

For him, it is important that IT is not seen merely as a “support” function, but as a true partner that helps the business move forward and deliver tangible results.

Information Technology & Innovation executive with 25+ years of experience in development, continuous improvement and delivery of state-of-the-art IT services across Automotive, Finance systems and Retail business. Have managed teams of 5-100+ with budgets of $1M-$18M+

Specialties:

Business Strategy
Program Management
Innovation Management
Strategic Communication
Digital Transformation
Information Security
IT Management
IT Operations
IT Support
IT Procurement
Talent Development
Cybersecurity
Connecting IT to Business
Creative Problem Solving
Storytelling
Internet of Things (IoT)
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Robotic process automation (RPA)
Cloud migration & FinOps
DORA & IT Resilience